Farmers and ranchers still must be on the lookout for signs of highly pathogenic avian influenza as the disease continues to spread among poultry flocks as well as cattle. USDA Deputy Undersecretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Dr. Eric Deeble has been overseeing much of the work in Washington, DC since the most current outbreak began a couple of years ago. Speaking at an H5N1 forum in Raleigh, North Carolina, Deeble said concerned agencies and stakeholders must continue to keep the lines of communication open.

“One of the things that was emphasized in the conversation was the need for communication and the absolute essential nature for both the folks from USDA and FDA to talk directly with producers, and did it directly with individuals who may be affected by H5N1 and dairy cattle and in poultry, and to make sure that they understand what’s happening, the nature of the disease and what kind of supports are available to them, should they have an affected herd or an affected flock.”

He says testing for the disease continues, and they’ve seen a shift in where it’s showing up.

“We have seen steady testing volume in the National Lab System, about two to 3000 tests a week, and we have seen a decrease, perhaps, in the interstate pre movement testing, but an increase in intrastate testing for folks that are moving animals to fairs and shows. And we expect that those numbers will continue to climb up, and we’ll continue to see high volumes of testing.”

That being said, Deeble is happy to report the spread has slowed in recent weeks.

“We have not seen a new state affected by H5N1 in about five weeks, which is great. We know that’s going to change. This disease will pop up somewhere else, but we’re very hopeful that the lessons that we’ve learned to date, both working with FDA and working with the state veterinarians, working with NASDA and everybody up and down the line that we will be able to respond well, should this emerge in a new location.”

And now, several companies have developed potential HPAI vaccines.

“We have four to five candidates who have come forward and have requested the opportunity to begin field safety trials. That is one of several steps in achieving vaccine licensure. But it’s an important thing to see, because it demonstrates that there is robust interest amongst vaccine manufacturers that they have products that they believe to be effective, that they want to test that safety, and we’re getting very close to being able to give the authorization for them to proceed.”

Photo: Participants at the H5N1 Forum in Raleigh, NC August 27, 2024. Left to right: Joe Reardon, senior director of Food Safety Programs for the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture; NC Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler; FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf; USDA Deputy Undersecretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Dr. Eric Deeble; Dr. Ben Shelton, dairy industry representative; and Dr. Mike Martin, State Veterinarian for North Carolina. Photo credit: Mike Davis/SFN